The author’s economic theory is that the workingman gets as large a share of the wealth he helps to produce as he actually earns. His story deals with many characters in many classes of society but chiefly with a young German doctor who loves a princess, comes to America, begins at the bottom and becomes reform governor of a western commonwealth; and with the romance of an idle leader of cotillions, and the intense daughter of a plain, blunt manufacturer of tinware.
“In the hands of a great writer it might have been a great book, because the purpose in it is that of painting the manners of men. But then the author launches into deep waters where he is not at home.”
| + — | Acad. 68: 822. Ag. 12, ‘05. 320w. |
[*] “There is too much social philosophy in the book to interest the general reader of fiction. Yet, on the whole, ‘Sturmsee’ abounds in lessons of healthy conservatism and conveys much social information.”
| + — | Cath. World. 82: 417. D. ‘05. 170w. |
“It is not entirely without interest as a story, but it is essentially a book of discussions to which a conversational and picturesque form of exposition gives point and animation.” Wm. M. Payne.
| + + | Dial. 39: 41. Jl. 16, ‘05. 980w. |
“It is informed with learning and reflection, and its plan is studiously developed. Yet it would be a mistake to call it a novel.”
| + — | Ind. 59:451. Ag. 24, ‘05. 170w. |
“The people in the book ... have (for Utopians) an appeal remarkably human. And not merely human, but romantic. The author never gets down from his hobby. He is always intent to teach you wisdom and demolish economic fallacies.”